You know after Hoot said he was going to write a book with his postings, I went over to the Countryside forum and read a lot of his old posts. He has a lot of great ones over there that is for sure! Then last Junuary there were a lot of upsets about religious posts and some people left the forum and started new ones. Some left and haven't been heard from since!

Back in September of this year I started looking for a more family oriented, friendly place to visit and couldn't find anything that really struck me. Many of the ones I found were confusing, or had been around so long that it was hard to be accepted into them. So I asked on countryside, and someone said I should start one. so, I did, and the rest is history!

I started visitng the Countryside site in November of 2000, that is when I first got my computer. It has been very educational and informative to me, but I do love this forum so much!

It is still fun to read through the old messages over on Countryside, and I wonder what happened to all of the people who used to post but don't any longer. Sometimes I wonder what happened to people who started out posting here and then disapper???!!!!!!! People come and go so quickly!!! Sometimes I will be thinking about the forum and I will wonder,"what happened to so-and-so?" I guess I will never know!

Well I am up late, not really sleepy, and no real topic. Just wondered how long you have been on these forums, and if you have left, I wondered why? and I hope the rest of you stay, and I'm thinking that I am babbling and should go to bed soon. good night all!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 03, 2002

Answers

Well, I guess I've been on here only for about three months or so now. I didn't realize how new your forum was when I first started! I had only been on the Countryside forum through their website, and just started poking around one evening on LUSENET. I had only been visiting the Countryside forum for a couple of months before I visited here. I enjoy the other forum, but as I noticed Melissa saying, I find myself reading a lot more of the topics here, whether I post on that particular one or not!

-- Christine in OK (cljford@aol.com), January 03, 2002.

I started reading forums alittle after I got my computer which was Jan 12,2001. I really enjoy them. I have even made a few friends from the forums. It's really nice getting to see what other people are doing.

-- Jo (farmerjo@kvalley.com), January 04, 2002.

Nov 99 when we got our first computer til the censorship began-after we all agreed on how we would do things. Around March or April 2001, been here since your invite on self-reliance, been there and A Country Place since their beginnings this past year.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

I, like Cindy, started out on Countryside around Oct. or Nov. of '99. Cindy and I "met" shortly, very shortly! after that. I have been around on the rest of the forums Cindy mentions above about the same length of time as she has. We sort of follow each other! I did post on Countryside back then using another name and I suspect a lot of people have done that. I no longer post on CS because of the things that happened there and I do enjoy this site Melissa.

-- Barb in ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 04, 2002.

Well... I have been on the internet since 1980, (nineteen eighty) thats over 20 years. Back before internet explorer, back before the web. Back when there was only a few universities and large companies on the internet.

In all that time there was always been "fourms" of one type or another. Orginally it was email bouncing back and forth between people. Then formal mailing list. Then came usenet/netnews. This was a way to send "newsgroups" or fourms around between machines. I was around for the big "NET breakup" newsgroups went from net.whatever to the common names they are known today, alt,rec,soc,misc,sci,etc. Netnews still is around but most people dont even know it. They see it as a fourm or URL news://rec.homestread or some such URL link. In the 90's the web was big. People started with small personal fourms, they grew and now you have lots and lots of fourms. Some last, some dont.

There has always been some "garden/homestead" group on the net. Fourm in whatever form come and go, but as one dies another will pop up.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), January 04, 2002.

Very interesting Gary. I remember when I started to use a computer in about 1981, I was in 7th grade! We had the Radio shack brands (TRS-80)in our school, and used tape recorders and tapes to store our data. We played some pretty primitive games, and did some easy programming. Then over the summer I went to a program for gifted children at OU in Athens. We spent four weeks learning about computers, programming and lots of scientific type of activites. I remmebr we went to see an old computer that took up almost all of the space in the basement of one of the buildings.

I have used some type of computer ever since, but usually just for word-processing applications and games. Then when I got rid of a Commodore that I had for 10 years, I finally got on the Internet. I don't really rememeber hearing too much about the internet until the mid 90's, but I didn't watch much television and I was so busy having 4 kids, I would have never had time anyways!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 04, 2002.

I really can't remember when I started reading the CS forum as it was a gradual thing. Last Winter and early Spring, I really started to follow the posts more seriously. When this one popped up, I found that I enjoy this one too. The CS forum can get a bit rowdy, but I never allow it to bother me. Sometimes I am disappointed when a really good thread starts and it disintergrates into personal attacks though. Oh well variety is the spice of life!

-- Ardis Storch (ardie54965@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

Like Gary I've been around computers for a good long time and on the "internet" for about as long. Have enjoyed CS forum probably since around 1997, and have read this one since its inception but just started posting lately. I find that people make comments on both forums that they wouldn't make if they were talking to that same person face to face, or they would be interpreted differently if one could see facial expressions. Melissa I appreciate your endeavor, trying to keep this a kind place to be. Polly

-- (jserg45@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

We got our first "new" computer in October of 2001 and then we went on line. I had been getting CS for about 4 years and went directly to their site. Let's just say that my first posting I thougth long and hard about and finially did it. The "help" I recieved hurt my feelings so bad I was never going to post again, then Melissa invited me to this site and the rest is history!!!! I love the friendly nature here. I do answer posts on CS but very few. Other than that, I do check out alot of sites that everyone has posted!Thanks and God BLess

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), January 04, 2002.

Been at CSF since dear geek brother "made" us a computer and installed it for us in September of 2000, had been visiting the forum before that from a friend's computer, found it through the magazine, have been getting Countryside for over 15 years, on and off a subscriber, mostly bought at newsstands and bookstores.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 04, 2002.

Oh, forgot the other part of your question, yea, the "discusions" can get a little passionate at times, but I rather enjoy that, but then, I was the captain of the Debate Team in HS, yep, super geek here, unfortunately not the computer kind!

Having someone impersonate you on the forum as retaliation in a bad way is very interesting, and insightful as to how many forum regulars know right off the bat that it is a "forgery".

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 04, 2002.

We got our computer this last fall, and went directly to the Countryside Site, as we've been getting it for a little over two years now. After a little while, I heard someone mention his friends over at the Country Families site had been getting plagued by viruses, and wondered what he'd been talking about. I found this forum, and started lurking, then figured that might be a little rude to hang in doorways. So, I am a Super-Newby. As I mentioned when I first introduced myself, I just love the cozy feel of this forum and how respectful everyone is toward each other.

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), January 04, 2002.

I'm gonna guess about two years. I created the Countryside Forum shortcut icon for the desktop in November, 2000. (I have since changed it so the icon links to Country Families.)

-- Rick (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

I first started lurking on CS I guess around fall of 2000. It took me several months to work up the courage to post an answer every now and then. Now I have a hard time shutting up; just so anxious to put in my .02!

I remember the big hubub about the religious threads over there and couldn't totally understand it. Dave and Ken really tried to allow some religious topic to stay posted, as long as the messages weren't too religious. Hard to draw 'the' line; some people cannot take the slightest bit of criticism without it becoming personal. I felt bad for everyone involved but tried to stay as neutral as possible.

I can't speak for or against them. Being a moderator is really a thankless job; I feel grateful (Thanks Melissa!) for the person / people who put themselves through it.

I too enjoy reading the old posts from time to time; the CS archives at the bottom are especially useful when you are looking for information.

I know someone has already posted this recently, but it may not have been on this BB. You can check out any comments by yourself or others made on www.google.com if you have their address. For example, if you type jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com and do a search, it will list all the comments I made that the internet has on record.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), January 04, 2002.

Please do not feel my comments were in any way negative towards Countryside. I love the site and the magazine. I just felt that with the emphasis being more on Homesteading, it would be nice to have a place more geared towards general family and country life. I enjoy the slower pace of this forum, but I also like to read a good many of the posts on the Countryside forum as well.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 04, 2002.

I have been getting CS magazine for years and don't know why I waited until Nov 2001 to go to their web page. I love Cs even the hot debates but, everytime I post something I pray that I didn't offend anyone. I know that at times people who mean well do tend to say things in a way that just seem downright offensive and I think sometimes people even intend to start heated debates. That's o.k. it gets the heart racing and lets us know we're still breathing. If I should ever say anything that seems offensive trust me it was more likely a bad choise of words since I do not go out of my way to be rude.

I just found this forum (thru CS) about 2 weeks ago and have to say that this forum and CS are my favorites. Lots and lots of real good people on both forums and tons of helpful information from all of you nice people. (I'm not even trying to be a kiss up)

Melissa, I think that you do a great job. I like that you post about all different things and make this forum very interesting. I believe this forum is one of the most civil forums I have been to.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 04, 2002.

I've had access to our computer for about a year and have been looking at various forums off and on ever since. I tend to favor the homesteading and news forums. If I have something to say, I try to say it as clearly as I can and as I believe the truth to be. If I offend someone, so be it, although offending is not my intention. I enjoy debates, but I also enjoy receipes and crafts so I guess my lurking is eclectic. If we were all the same, it would be a very dull world. Ta,ta...

-- Sandra Nelson (Magin@starband.net), January 04, 2002.

Countryside forum was my first stop when we got a computer in 1999. When Hoot got deleted over there I left.

I've made wonderful friends on the Lusenet forums. There is such a large group of likeminded individuals here to share with. In real life, we are isolated in the country with very few people and they don't understand our concerns with components of garden soil.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), January 04, 2002.

I started lurking on some of the homesteading forums during '99, started posting occasionally in "00. Still post on a couple of forums and still lurk on a few. I quit CS when everything Christian was deleted. I can deal with or ignore the Christian bashing on the forums. What made me leave was that supposedly the "religious" threads were going to be deleted (fair enough if that's what they wanted to do -it's their forum) but it became obvious that "other" religious posts were still allowed, just not anything Christian.

I am grateful for this wonderful family oriented forum. :)

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 04, 2002.

Hi there Melissa, I've been reading the CS forum for about 2 1/2 years and have been posting for about 2. I lurked alot till I got the feel of all the regulars over there and then starting posting. I still love the forum, but miss the closeness everyone use to have. I think most of us spent alot of time getting to know each other, and now alot of them are gone. We use to have some real good discussions over there, but someone, usually new to the forum and not knowing the others personalities, would get real hateful and then it would turn into a brawl, hence all the censorship. It would have helped for the newcomers to "listen" first and then gradually let everyone get to know them. (Of course, some were just so darned mean, no amount of time would have helped!!!) hee hee You're doing a super job with this forum, it's a nice place to visit, get to know each other and have a friendly chat about alot of different topics. Thanks for all your hard work to make this a great place.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), January 04, 2002.

I first lurked on the CountrySide Fourm in Febuary of 1999 and been lurkin here fo 2 or 3 months (I think?).

I still read many of the post on CountrySide most every day and I post occasionly. After I am done lurking there I always visit here and post once and a while.

I try not to get involved in the threads that lead into hot debates (arguing), as is the same in the "real" world.

This fourm is different than many fourms, more laid back less arguing, and I like that. I do try to be on my best behavior when visiting here and don't say things I might say on another fourm.

Keep up the Good Work Melissa!

-- Mark in N.C. Fla. (deadgoatman@webtv.net), January 04, 2002.

I'm not real sure but I'm thinking I started at the CS forum in early 99 or even 98. It was a fairly small group then and I don't even remember any moderators. I know I posted over 800 times there. Back then it was less topical than it is now and the discussions were wider ranging. Its grown so much since then I think its good for it to be more topical like it is now.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), January 05, 2002.

Hello Melissa,

Got my first computer in the late sevenities, (Commodore Vic- 20). Went to college for Business and receive computer technologies as a minor. Graduated in 1980. Went back to school in 1990 for more computer training. Got online in the early nineties and have been there eversince. Started out in the newgroups and eventually wound up on the forums. Been there ever since.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), January 05, 2002.

First laid hands on a computer in the Fall of 1999 and visited CS every day until last Spring when it became readily apparent that off- color jokes and paganism were welcomed but not Christian topics...that's why last January, I started the Christian Homesteader's Forum..still visited CS until April when the censorship thing became a hot issue..cancelled my subscription to the magazine and have not visited the site since..to each his own. Mellisa, you have done an excellent job in keeping this forum focused on the family...cyberspace has plenty of sites where crassness and being mean to one another are welcomed...your site is, indeed, a breath of fresh air...God bless.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), January 05, 2002.

Hey Melissa! I sometimes neglect to offer my thanks to you for this tremendous site that He has allowed you to start and maintain. Sis Doreen has a fabulous site too "Freedom.Self Reliance" and Little Bit Farm's "A country place" where I can preach all I want! God has a special blessing for all you sisters and He will let the entire world know about it! He takes care of His own and the non-blievers will stand in awe of what you receive. Thanks so much for all three sites and the work you precious "girls" put into it. You're really appreciated by this old hillbilly and Almighty God for helping spread the Word! old hoot gibson. Matt.24:44

-- old hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), January 06, 2002.

I've been "online" since VERY early on (from when what passed as the internet was called "gopher"...) and had been visiting Countryside since about '97 or early '98. I followed Hoot over here -- after the upset early last year.

I really appreciate what you've built here, Melissa. I love Countryside mag, but the forum was getting to the point where no one could say anything without being flamed.

Ken does a great job, but he can't moderate a lot of what goes on -- it would be a full time job and then some.

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), January 10, 2002.